Ambassador family says March of Dimes helped their preemie survive

Brandi and Brian Ware of Kings Mountain had already given birth to a healthy daughter. They knew about the March of Dimes, but didn't understand how the 75-year-old organization helped people until their son was born 10 weeks premature.

Brandi and Brian Ware of Kings Mountain had already given birth to a healthy daughter. They knew about the March of Dimes, but didn't understand how the 75-year-old organization helped people until their son was born 10 weeks premature.

"For most people, you don't know what they do until you are affected by it," Brian said. "If March of Dimes wasn't there, we would have a different life."

The Wares and their children, 7-year-old Mackenzie, and 2-1/2-year-old Isaiah, were introduced Aug. 14 as this year's March of Dimes Ambassador Family at the kickoff breakfast for the Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln Walk.

March of Dimes Research saves lives

Brandi said her son is the perfect "poster child," because even though he was born 10 weeks premature, he has no lasting health problems or disabilities. She and her husband credit research funded by the March of Dimes with saving their son's life.

"He is in constant motion. He sings, he dances and can count to 13 with help," she said. "He has a sister who is crazy about him and a family that considers him a miracle. I can't help but think where we would be without all the advances March of Dimes has made in the past 75 years. All the money raised goes to buy new technology, better training for nurses and doctors and ensuring a higher survival rate for preemies."

Weighed 2 pounds, 14 ounces at birth

Isaiah was born March 3, 2011, by an emergency cesarean. He had stopped moving, but an ultrasound was inconclusive as to what was wrong with the baby. Doctors decided they were going to have to deliver the baby to determine what was causing his distress.

"They couldn't tell me if he would cry, because they didn't know if his lungs were developed enough," Brandi said. "He cried the moment they pulled him out; it was a good sign."

They gave him a shot of antibiotics, because he was already turning septic. After that scare, Isaiah began to make progress. He spent 42 days in the NICU and came home with a heart monitor. At every doctor's appointment, Isaiah made progress and amazed his doctors.

"Our boy was healthy, so much more than we thought he would be," Brandi said. "Every doctor said, 'He was born 10 weeks early, no way' or 'I can't tell.'"

Cleveland event expands this year

The Cleveland County March for Babies has been renamed this year to the Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln March for Babies, said March of Dimes Community Director Howard Goldstein.

"People in Gaston and Lincoln counties expressed an interest in participating," he said. "We want this to be the greatest event yet."

Page 2 of 2 - The walk and a 5K run are scheduled for Oct. 5 at Shelby City Park, said Erica Beckler, a member of the planning committee and marketing director of the free-standing Chick-fil-A on East Dixon Boulevard in Shelby.

Organizers work each year to make the walk a fun outing for families.

"We will have free train and carrousel rides and a huge bouncey slide for the children," Beckler said. "We will have dancers and music."

Want to participate?

The Cleveland, Gaston, Lincoln March for Babies will be at 10 a.m. Oct. 5 at Shelby City Park. A 5K run begins at 8 a.m.

To register for the 5K run, go to setupevents.com.

To register for the March for Babies, go to www.marchforbabies.org or call Dee Greene at 704-484-6811 or email dee.greene@cityofshelby.com.